Weekly Current Affairs Test : 15th to 21st September 2026

The Union Environment Ministry reviewed major wildlife conservation programmes in Gujarat, focusing on the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), grassland restoration and Project Cheetah. The Gujarat Action Plan for GIB Conservation was prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in collaboration with the Gujarat Forest Department. Kachchh supports an important but small and isolated population of the Critically Endangered Great Indian Bustard. The action plan aims to establish a minimum viable population of more than 30 GIBs and secure 200–500 sq. km. of safe, contiguous habitat. The immediate focus is the Lala–Rawa landscape, covering about 200 sq. km.

South Asian countries have pledged stronger coordinated action against illegal wildlife trade. The commitment was made through the Kathmandu Declaration. The declaration was adopted at the first General Assembly of the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) in Kathmandu. SAWEN is a regional intergovernmental mechanism for cooperation against wildlife crime. SAWEN comprises 8 countries: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bhutan. Member countries reaffirmed their political commitment to combat illegal wildlife trade and transnational organised crime.

Researchers from Ravenshaw University and Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Netherlands have identified a new species of tiny bivalve from Odisha. The new species has been named Deltachion ravenshaw (D. ravenshaw). The species was named after Ravenshaw University in recognition of its role in the research. It belongs to the Donacidae family of bivalves, generally found in shallow, sandy marine habitats. The species was discovered during a macrobenthic survey at Astaranga, near the mouth of the Devi River in Puri. It was found in the sandy intertidal stretches of the Devi estuary.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have captured the strategic Mayun Island, also known as Perim Island. The island is located in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, at the entrance to the Red Sea. Mayun lies approximately 3.5 km off Yemen’s western coast. The island is a small, barren volcanic island with major strategic importance because of its location along a key maritime route. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) has been awarded the ‘Rajbhasha Utkrishtta Sammaan’ for 2025–26. The award was conferred by the Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs. It recognises DARPG’s outstanding and consistently excellent performance in the implementation of the Official Language. The Sammaan was conferred on the occasion of Hindi Diwas on 14 September 2026.

National Engineers’ Day is observed in India every year on 15 September. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (M. Visvesvaraya). Visvesvaraya was born on 15 September 1861. He is widely regarded as the “Father of Modern Mysore”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Visvesvaraya and greeted engineers across India on Engineers’ Day.

CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) is using SARAL AI to make scientific research more accessible. SARAL AI is an initiative of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), New Delhi. The technology converts research papers published in journals into engaging and accessible short videos. The initiative aims to make scientific knowledge easier to discover, understand and share. It particularly targets students and the general public. The initiative supports the government’s emphasis on using emerging technologies for science communication.

The Ladakh administration has launched a project to revive the shrinking Tso Kar Lake. Tso Kar is a high-altitude salt lake/wetland complex in Ladakh. It is located in the Rupshu Plateau region of southeastern Ladakh. The name Tso Kar means “White Lake” in the local Tibetan language. It is an important habitat for migratory birds, particularly the Black-necked Crane. The lake forms part of the important high-altitude wetland ecosystem of Ladakh. Tso Kar Wetland Conservation Reserve is recognised as a Ramsar Site.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing the Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS). The scheme aims to improve higher education opportunities for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) students. From 2014–15 to 2025–26, around ₹3,509.39 crore was spent under its four major components. During the same period, 1,18,248 beneficiaries were covered under these components. SHREYAS provides a continuum of support ranging from competitive-examination coaching to advanced research.

HQ Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) is organising the CORE programme from 14–18 September 2026 at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. CORE stands for Combined Operational Review and Evaluation. It is a five-day programme for senior officers of the Defence Forces. Officers from the Ministries of Defence, External Affairs and Home Affairs are also participating. The programme focuses on contemporary national and regional security issues. It provides interaction with subject-matter experts and renowned speakers.

NITI Aayog launched the India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) 2025 in New Delhi. Delhi ranked as the top-performing State/UT in electric mobility adoption. Other top performers are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chandigarh and Goa. India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) 2025 is the second edition of the index. It measures the progress of States and Union Territories towards their electric mobility goals. States and UTs are scored out of 100 across 16 indicators.

IPS officer Sanjukta Parashar has been appointed as the first woman Inspector General (IG) of CoBRA. CoBRA is the specialised jungle warfare commando unit of the CRPF. CoBRA was raised by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in 2008–09. It was established mainly to tackle Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) and insurgency. The force operates in areas affected by Naxalism and insurgency, including parts of the Northeast.

20 National Cadet Corps (NCC) girl cadets successfully completed the ‘Aparajita-ParangLa 2026’ High Altitude Long Trek. The expedition covered approximately 250 km in 30 days. The trek passed through glaciers, snowfields and river valleys in high-altitude terrain. The route was from Kibber in Himachal Pradesh to Karzok in Ladakh. The trek was flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh from New Delhi on 18 August 2026. The expedition aimed to encourage young women to participate in adventure activities. It provided cadets exposure to challenging high-altitude conditions.

The Defence Accounts Department (DAD) has successfully normalized 1,45,182 discrepant pension cases of the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy on SPARSH. For the Indian Army, out of 3,94,779 discrepant cases, 3,90,336 cases (98.8%) have been normalized. SPARSH stands for System for Pension Administration – Raksha. It is a Ministry of Defence initiative for the digital administration of pensions of Armed Forces personnel and defence pensioners. The system is designed to provide an integrated and transparent platform for pension processing and administration. It enables pensioners to access services such as pension payment information, pension slips, service details and grievance-related facilities digitally.

SEMICON India 2026, the 5th edition, is held from 17–19 September 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. The theme is “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem.” It is jointly organised by India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and SEMI. The event brings together semiconductor companies, policymakers, investors, researchers, startups and academic institutions. It features more than 600 companies and representatives from 52 countries. The exhibition has 6 Country Pavilions and 12 State Government booths. Country Pavilions represent Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore and Sweden.

GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) has improved by nine places to rank 37th globally in the latest Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 40). It was ranked 46th in GFCI 39, showing a significant improvement in its overall ranking. GIFT City has also entered the top 15 financial centres in the Asia-Pacific region. The GFCI evaluates financial centres on factors such as FinTech capabilities, access to finance, skilled talent, regulatory environment and ICT infrastructure. GIFT City is India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) and serves as a hub for financial and IT services. It supports sectors including banking, financial services, insurance, IT/ITeS and FinTech.

The fourth instalment of ₹3,000 under the Annapurna Yojana was transferred to the bank accounts of around 1.5 crore women beneficiaries in West Bengal. Annapurna Yojana is implemented by the Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal. The scheme aims to provide assured monthly financial assistance to eligible women residing in West Bengal. It focuses on women’s empowerment and socio-economic upliftment. Eligible women receive ₹3,000 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The assistance is credited directly to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the ‘Bharat Vann’ green initiative at Lodhi Colony Park, New Delhi. The initiative aims to promote urban ecological restoration and increase green cover in Delhi. It was launched in collaboration with the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). A dense green forest area will be developed using indigenous plants suited to the local environment. The one-acre site is planned to have more than 10,000 plants. The area will also provide facilities for walking, meditation and yoga.

India made its first direct soil carbon payments in September 2026. More than 2,500 farmers from Punjab and Haryana are set to receive over ₹2.9 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The payments are linked to the ‘Aadi’ farmer carbon programme, launched by Grow Indigo in 2019 with technical guidance from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The Aadi programme currently covers over 2 million acres and more than 1 lakh farmers across seven States.

The 3rd FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) Conference on Digitalization, AI, Automation & Technology Integration in Mining & Metals was held in New Delhi. The conference focused on enhancing competitiveness of India’s mining and metals sector. It brought together policymakers, industry leaders, technology providers, startups, researchers and international partners.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released the report “Forests for Food: Nourishing People, Sustaining the Planet” in September 2026. The report highlights that more than 5 billion people depend on forests and trees to some extent for their livelihoods. More than 50,000 wild species are used globally for food and medicine, including at least 10,000 species directly consumed as food. Around one-quarter of the global population depends on woodfuel for cooking or water sterilisation, while over 1 billion people rely on medicinal plants. The report calls for sustainable forest management, agroforestry, better land-use planning and secure land rights.

Lockheed Martin received its first batch of critical Patriot interceptor components from General Motors (GM Defense). PATRIOT stands for Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target. It is a US surface-to-air missile (SAM) defence system designed to detect, track and intercept aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. It is operated by the United States Army and several allied countries.

Sohar Port has emerged as an important gateway for Indian shippers seeking access to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries amid the West Asia crisis. It is located in northern Oman near the Strait of Hormuz. The port is in discussions with Indian logistics operators and terminal operators for setting up facilities. Both captive berths and multipurpose terminals are being explored with Indian companies.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) released the Global Gender Gap Index 2026 in September 2026. India ranked 131st out of 145 countries, retaining the same position as the previous edition. Iceland retained the 1st position, followed by Finland and Norway. Only 14 countries ranked below India. In the Economic Participation and Opportunity subindex, India recorded a 41.2% parity score. India’s score in this subindex improved by 0.5 percentage points compared with the previous edition. However, it remained 3.5 percentage points below India’s best score recorded in 2013.

International Red Panda Day is observed every year on the third Saturday of September; in 2026, it falls on 19 September. The day aims to raise awareness about the declining red panda population and shrinking habitat. It highlights threats such as deforestation, habitat loss and poaching. The awareness day was started by the Red Panda Network, a non-profit organisation working for red panda conservation in Nepal and the Eastern Himalayas. The event promotes awareness about red panda biology, threats and conservation efforts.

Delhi received the highest foreign contribution under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) among States and Union Territories in FY 2024–25, amounting to ₹5,834 crore. Karnataka ranked second with ₹3,164 crore, followed by Maharashtra with ₹2,385 crore. Tamil Nadu had the highest number of active FCRA-registered associations, with 2,102 organisations. The United States was the largest source of foreign contributions to India, contributing ₹12,113 crore. The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2026 came into force on 22 June 2026. The 2026 rules introduced greater specificity in Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration regarding geographical areas of operation, activities funded and key organisational functionaries.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently began receiving the HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft, which has been officially named ‘Ankur’. It is developed indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The HTT-40 is designed to meet the basic pilot training requirements of the IAF. The handover of the first three aircraft marks the commencement of deliveries under a contract for 70 such trainers. This indigenous platform is equipped with modern avionics, a pressurized cabin, and advanced safety features, replacing older training assets and boosting self-reliance in military pilot training.

The 17th Kathakali Festival was inaugurated at the Bharata Kalakshetra Auditorium, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai. The festival is organised by the Kalakshetra Foundation under the Ministry of Culture. The three-day festival is held from 18–20 September 2026 with the theme “Kadha Rasa Sangama – Confluence of Essence of Stories.” Three prominent Kathakali institutions—Sadanam Academy, Kerala Kalamandalam and Margi Theatre—are presenting different productions. The festival opened with “Mandodari”, presented by Sadanam Academy and based on the Ramayana.

Gender Snapshot 2026 report was released by UN Women and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) in September 2026. The report states that no target under SDG 5 (Gender Equality) is currently on track to be achieved by 2030. Around one in four gender-equality institutions experienced operating-budget cuts over the past two years, while nearly one in ten lost control over their budgets. Women held 27.4% of seats in national parliaments in 2026, compared with 22.3% in 2015. Women’s representation in local governments remained at around 35.6% since 2023. Around 2.9 billion women and girls live in countries highly or very highly exposed to climate change and geophysical hazards. The report estimates that, at the current pace of progress, gender equality could remain 171 years away.

Karnataka approved Tulu as its second additional administrative language for Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts in September 2026. The decision followed several years of demands and consultations, including a committee report submitted in 2023 under educationist M. Mohan Alva. Tulu is primarily spoken in the coastal region known as Tulu Nadu, covering Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. Tulu is also spoken in parts of Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Hassan and Kodagu districts. The government has allocated ₹82 lakh for translation, training and other activities related to the use of Tulu.